Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick

insisted "I don't know how she
    tasted them. If only she would--"
    "Oh, stow it, Scully," Mic told him. "Just make her something
    and take it down."
    After a fierce glare at Mic, Scully went to work, grumbling
    the entire time. After just ten minutes, he set a fresh plate on
    the table and turned to Robby.
    "Take that to her, Rob."
    "No way, Scully; you made her mad, you take it down."
    Scully tried Mic, pushing the plate in his direction. "Take
    this down."
    Mic didn't even acknowledge him, so Scully looked to
    Darsey.
    "Don't look at me. I won't go near her when she's been
    kept from her dinner."
    Dallas suddenly found the entire table staring at him.
    "Now wait a minute," he protested but was cut off.
    "Go on, lad," Darsey said with a huge grin. "You're low
    man this voyage, so get moving."
    97
    Dallas rolled his eyes, scooped up the plate, and walked
    low. He thought the lot of them were overreacting./MS? like
    \bunchofoldwomen.Sbe'sprobablyforgottenallaboutitby
    v. Nevertheless, he knocked very softly on her door.
    "Come in." Smokey's curt reply brought Dallas through
    ithe door.
    He set the food down, and she examined the contents as
    though looking for clues to a crime. When she stayed silent,
    Dallas took that to mean she was satisfied; he couldn't have
    been more wrong. As soon as he started toward the door, he
    found himself getting the sharp side of her tongue.
    "Dallas, this cabin may be your idea of clean, but it's not mine. See to it first thing in the morning."
    Dallas turned back and stared at her for the space of
    several heartbeats. Her eyes were still flashing with fire,
    turning them from gray to black. The top of her head didn't
    even reach his shoulder, and yet she rose to give him orders
    like a giant. He wanted to laugh so badly that it hurt to hold it
    in.
    "Yes, Captain," he finally said "Will there be anything
    else?"
    "No." Her reply was short, and her eyes narrowed, daring
    him to make one move out of line. "You're dismissed"
    Dallas obeyed, letting himself slowly out of the room.
    After shutting the door softly, he paused in the passageway
    and grinned, his mind's eye still seeing the darkness in her
    eyes and the flush on her face. Dallas slowly shook his head,
    his grin still in place. He could honestly say he'd never met
    another woman quite like her.
    99
    "On the island. Along with Mic and Pete."
    "I think I'll swim over."
    "All right," Robby agreed easily enough, figuring that the
    id was large enough to guarantee the captain's privacy.
    Since Dallas was dressed only in pants, there was no need
    go below for anything. He stepped to the railing, and
    >bby's brows rose with appreciation when a perfect dive was
    ited, one that caused little more than a ripple on the
    " urface of the water. Impressed, Robby watched as Dallas
    Surfaced and struck out with long, clean stokes. In no time at
    all, he was walking ashore. Robby only hoped that Smokey was
    in a secluded place.
    abouta week after the spinach incident, Dallas woke one
    morning and realized something was amiss. It was early, and
    without taking time to pull on anything more than his pants,
    he went topside.
    He found the Aramis docked near a small island. This
    voyage had been something of a pleasure trip for Dallas, and
    he'd had no need to keep track of their location. Now he
    wished he had paid a little more attention.
    Robby was the only one about, and he was standing calmly
    on the deck watching Dallas approach. The ship felt so deserted
    it was eerie
    "Where are we?"
    "China bland," Robby answered
    "I've never heard of it."
    "Not many have. Smokey's pa used to bring her here; it's
    where she learned to swim."
    "Is she over there now?"
    "Um hmm. Along with most of the crew."
    Dallas' gaze turned to the small island and lingered on the
    rowboats that were pulled up on the beach. He knew the ship
    boasted several rowboats, but it was an easy swim and the
    thought of walking on terra firma strongly appealed to him at
    the moment.
    "Is